A walk from Inverkeithing to Aberdour

The ancient - if not particularly beautiful - St. Peter's Church in Inverkeithing, Fife, 30th May, 2009.

The ancient - if not particularly beautiful - St. Peter's Church in Inverkeithing, Fife, 30th May, 2009.

"The B-listed Inverkeithing (St Peter's) Church on Church Street was first built as a wooden celtic church before being adapted into a Norman stone structure, which was bequeathed by the monks of Dunfermline Abbey in 1139.

"The parish church of St. Peter stands in its large churchyard on the east side of Church Street. The main part of the church is a large plain neo-Gothic 'preaching box' of 1826-27, but the western tower is 14th century. The traceried belfry openings are unusual. Built of soft sandstone, the tower is very weathered, and has been partially refaced. It is crowned by a lead spire with over-emphatic gabled dormers housing clock-faces (1835 and 1883). The church's roomy interior (now deprived of its galleries) is graced by a little-known treasure, one of the finest medieval furnishings to survive in any Scottish parish church. This is the large, extremely well-preserved, grey sandstone font of c.1398, which was rediscovered buried under the church, having been concealed at the Reformation. Its octagonal bowl is decorated with angels holding heraldic shields. These include the royal arms of the King of Scots, and of Queen Anabella Drummond (d.1401), the consort of Robert III (1390-1406). The high quality of the carving is explained by it being a royal gift to the parish church, Inverkeithing being a favourite residence of Queen Anabella.

"The church suffered a fire in 1825 and was re-built in its present form in 1826. Later, the church was restored in 1900. Only the tower dating from the 14th century remains from the pre-reformation church building."

A view at Scott's Mill, near Inverkeithing, Fife, on 20th May, 2009. What appears to be a nondescript photo of undergrowth was in reality a carpet of brilliant blue flowers.

A view at Scott's Mill, near Inverkeithing, Fife, on 20th May, 2009. What appears to be a nondescript photo of undergrowth was in reality a carpet of brilliant blue flowers.

View from the Up platform at Aberdour station, Fife, 30th May, 2009. Note the quatrefoils - a North British Railway symbol - cut into the awning bargeboards.

The stationmaster at Aberdour, who has maintained the station's buildings and gardens to prize-winning standard for many years, tells me that it was the North British Railway's policy to plant laburnum trees around its stations; something I'd never noticed previously. They certainly are colourful when in full-bloom. 30th May, 2009.